Bible Verses About Idle Words
Ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community
These are the Bible verses most often cited for idle words, ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community across 2,274 votes, led by Matthew 12:36. Each passage links to its verse page or the interactive map; scripture is the King James Version.
Top verses about Idle Words
Matthew 12:36156 votes
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Proverbs 10:19148 votes
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
Matthew 12:36-37143 votes
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
James 1:26142 votes
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
2 Timothy 2:16128 votes
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Proverbs 15:2120 votes
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Ephesians 4:29118 votes
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ephesians 5:4115 votes
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Colossians 3:892 votes
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Psalms 141:388 votes
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Proverbs 21:2380 votes
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
James 3:5-673 votes
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Proverbs 13:372 votes
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 17:27-2860 votes
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Titus 3:956 votes
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
James 3:652 votes
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Ecclesiastes 5:347 votes
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
Proverbs 17:2844 votes
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Proverbs 25:1141 votes
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Proverbs 18:2140 votes
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
1 Timothy 5:1340 votes
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
Titus 3:240 votes
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
Matthew 12:3738 votes
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
James 3:832 votes
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Proverbs 29:2028 votes
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
What does the Bible say about idle words?
Readers most often cite Matthew 12:36 on the subject of idle words. Across 2,274 votes, 25 passages are commonly cited for this topic, including Proverbs 10:19, Matthew 12:36-37, James 1:26. This page lists all 25 in ranked order, quoted in the King James Version, with each linked to its cross-references.